SRINAGAR, April 22, 2025 – A devastating attack by suspected militants in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national, and injured 17 others, police reported. The assault, which occurred on Tuesday in the Bysaran valley of Pahalgam, is the deadliest in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, shattering the region’s recent calm and booming tourism industry.
Details of the Attack:
The attack targeted tourists in the Himalayan federal territory, a region that has seen a decline in anti-India insurgency and a surge in visitors. A little-known group, “Kashmir Resistance,” claimed responsibility via social media, alleging the victims were linked to Indian security agencies. The group cited concerns over “demographic change” driven by the settlement of over 85,000 “outsiders” in the Muslim-majority region.
Political and Social Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has championed the 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status as a step toward peace, cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to address the crisis. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also returned early from the US and Peru. Modi convened an emergency meeting with top officials, including the National Security Advisor, and a special security cabinet meeting was scheduled for 1230 GMT.
Local organizations called for a shutdown across the union territory, with protests erupting in the Kashmir Valley. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Stop killing innocents” and “Tourists are our lives,” emphasizing tourism’s economic importance. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed solidarity, stating, “Kashmir is ashamed. We stand with you.”
Impact on Tourism
The attack triggered an exodus of tourists from Srinagar, the region’s summer capital. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted the reopening of a key highway, damaged by rains, to facilitate travel. Airlines, including four special flights to Delhi and Mumbai, were arranged, with additional flights on standby. The aviation regulator urged airlines to waive cancellation fees due to “unexpected demand.”
Tourist Sameer Bhardwaj from New Delhi told ANI, “We need to prioritize our safety.” Local tour operators reported cancellations for the peak summer season, though the Travel Agents Federation of India’s local unit vowed to promote travel to the valley. Chairman Shamim Shah condemned the attack, stating, “We stand firm against those who want to spread fear.”
Protests and Closures
The shutdown was widely observed, with schools suspending classes and protest marches across the Kashmir Valley. The attack has sparked outrage, with locals emphasizing that tourism is vital to the region’s economy.
Broader Implications
The attack undermines claims of stability in Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 policy changes. The “Kashmir Resistance” group’s statement framing the victims as intelligence operatives has raised concerns about escalating tensions and potential backlash against tourism, a key economic driver.
